The thick grey clouds settle heavy on the tree tops and the woman on the airplane loud speaker is telling us about trying to get out of here on time, and I just keep thinking about how i don't really want to leave. But I do. But i don't.
We had our last show of the year last night at the beautiful Paramount theatre in Seattle. We stayed a block away and got to feel the hustle and bustle of the tourist ridden downtown area. The city is sprinkled with christmas lights and horse-drawn carriages as bundled up people laden with packages spilled out onto the streets from the shops and warmly lit buildings that lined the avenues. As beautiful as the surroundings were, we were fairly down-trodden going into the show, just feeling a bit beat up. It's been a long (incredible) year, and an even longer week, and to be honest our energy was so low, just getting through the show would have felt great. But oh my god, the audience was sent from the heavens above. They were so interested and supportive and loving and it felt incredible. We played four songs, and they cheered at all the right moments and roared with applause in between songs, and jumped to their feet at the end. And I stood there, dumbstruck and once again, amazed at how insanely magical this all can be.

I don't know if I'm feeling nostalgic as the year is ending (most likely, yes) but it was such a sweet ending to these past few weeks and months of almost daily flights and shows and different city after different city. I know i get to go home today. I know my little christmas tree is waiting for me, no lights yet, and probably no water anymore, but that's beside the point. This year has been full of wonderful moments and experiences that i could never have projected in a million years. There are so many faces that stick in my brain that i get to think of and remember...knowing it all stems from the connections that get made through music. As I'm heading home for the holidays the best gift in the world is to know that this whole ride continues and I actually get to be on it. I'm honored to be a passenger for as long as it'll have me....and I'm so deeply grateful to all of you for your support and amazing energy that is the biggest part of this whole thing.

I hope that this year has been a year of growth and change and wonder for all of you, and that the next one brings more of the same beautiful things.


Happy Holidays.

love love love love,
s